Record Breaking Obesity Rates: Why You Should Visit Your Burnaby Gym

Randy Shore, writing for the Vancouver Sun, reports on a study by the University of British Columbia that shows an alarming spike in adult obesity in the country between 2000 and 2007, breaking the record as the highest rate, thus far, in Canadian history. Even in British Columbia, where obesity rates were reportedly lower and where people are found to have healthier lifestyles, the number of obesity cases between 2008 and 2011 increased by 25 per cent, according to the Canadian Community Health Survey.

Obesity is defined as having excess fat, where fat accumulation starts to pose some health risks. These health risks include various conditions and diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and gynecological problems like irregular menstruation or infertility. Although the solution to fight an expanding waistline varies from person to person, common proven methods include a healthy diet and regular exercise – programs with which a Burnaby gym like She’s Fit! can help.

An adult with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight; a person whose BMI exceeds 30 is obese. A healthy BMI falls between 18.5 to 24.9. To calculate your BMI using the metric unit, multiply your height in meters, then divide by your weight in kilograms.

According to report, the highest rate of obesity is found in provinces at the Atlantic Maritime, where one in every three adults is considered obese. Findings of CCHS lead researcher Carolyn Gotay showed that the number of obese women have been progressively increasing compared with obese men.

Research has also discovered that the relatively slimmer population of British Columbia is backed by the larger Asian group, who are less likely to be obese. However, this situation might be fading now due to the changes in lifestyle and eating habits of immigrants who are beginning to adopt a more Westernized diet. Despite the high number of people engaging in some sort of exercise regimen, the survey revealed that one in five are categorized as obese.

Online magazine Health.com stated that obesity may also be rooted in genetics. Some people are born with a higher predisposition to this condition due to a particular gene found in their DNA. However, genetics isn’t the end of the story; lifestyle changes that involve proper diet and regular exercise can reverse an individual’s predisposition to obesity.

Although making lifestyle changes early on is always more effective than confronting it when obesity sets in, there are personalized exercises that can address the condition. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all method, though. It is, therefore, important to consult fitness professionals, such as those at She’s Fit! or any Burnaby health club specialist, regarding the proper program for you.